Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
About a mile south of the entrance to Big Sur State Park, Sycamore Canyon Road exits
Rte. 1 for Pfeiffer Beach. This quiet oceanside stretch, where small patches of beach are
wedged among the rocks, is pitted with caves and blowholes that were carved out by the
sea's surge.
10.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
After Rte. 1 descends from a climb that takes it nearly 1,000 feet above the sea, the drive
enters Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. A must here is the Overlook Trail, which traverses
the clifftops above the ocean. For a special treat, look down on McWay Cove, where a
creekfinishes itsshortjourneywithafineflourish—an 80-footwaterfall tumbling downat
the seaside.
Among the many birds that flock to these wilds are brown pelicans. Watch them sail
across the sky, then dive headfirst for fish. An added plus, as on most of the California
coast, arethegraywhales; thehugemarine mammals canbeseenmigrating backandforth
between Alaskan and Mexican seas.
A different kind of graceful giant, the redwood tree, grows in the park's interior.
Hiking trails—sometimes steep but always rewarding—weave through the creek-laced
area. Trailside sights include wildflowers and chaparral (a low, dense covering of shrubs).
11.
Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
Just south of Kirk Creek, the highway intersects with Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. This
paved 25-mile byway—a white-knuckle side trip with hairpin curves and panoramic
views—traverses the Santa Lucia Range and ends at an army base not far from Rte. 101.
12.
Jade Cove
Farther down the coast, Rte. 1 skirts Sand Dollar Beach—an excellent spot for seaside pic-
nics—then comes to the signs and turnouts at Jade Cove. Take the short walk to the area's
pebbled beaches, which are hemmed in by sea-carved cliffs, and search for the semipre-
cious bits of jade.
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